Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Being a Christian goes beyond keeping a tradition. It is more than wearing a label or adhering to a code of ethics. Jesus didn’t come to create a religion, but to show us how to have a relationship with the Father. Religion focuses on us—how we are supposed to behave to win God’s favor. God had a better idea! He sent His Son a simple invitation in His great love for us: Come follow Me! 

Jesus’ invitation wasn’t to join a church. It wasn’t to recognize ourselves with bumper stickers or wear special jewelry. It wasn’t about whatever else we might think it is to be a Christian. He didn’t challenge us to behave, but He called us to believe and follow Him. His invitation was to live in a daily life-changing relationship with Him. 

Sometimes people in church wonder if a personal relationship with God is possible. Some wonder if God is even real. And so, with all our doubts, hurts, and brokenness, we set out in search of the good life. That is true for all of us: We all want a good life. Then, along comes Jesus with this invitation to follow Him. He calls Himself the Good Shepherd. He knows where the good pasture is and He calls out to us, “Follow Me!” When we hear that invitation, we leave the path we’re on to follow Him. He leads us to those good pastures. We then experience the life of joy and purpose God intended for us. 

I believe that once we hear the invitation of Jesus there is always a choice. We can keep on living our self-directed lives, pursuing our desires, and our appetites, and chasing our dreams. Or we can give that up and follow Christ and discover something deeper and richer than we ever imagined. 

By his grace.—By His own grace. The means by which justification is wrought out is the death and atonement of Christ; its ulterior cause is the grace of God, or free readmission into His favour, which He accords to man. Bible Hub

In the Old Covenant, God related to the nation of Israel by putting some distance between Himself and His people. He did this because He is Holy. He established priests, the Ten Commandments, and various symbols. He also instituted traditions and festivals. This formed a conditional, transactional relationship. It was intended to point them to their need for a savior. A transactional relationship is saying something like, “If you do this, I’ll do that.” God’s people often forgot. They neglected to keep their end of the bargain. Yet, God never stopped loving them. 

The Old Covenant culminates in a beautiful moment. Jesus came to earth and ushered in this new way of life. You have to realize it was something totally new! But here’s the problem: If you try to live this new life Christ gives, it will wear you out. The old way will exhaust you. Living under the Old Covenant is exhausting. It’s not what Jesus intended at all!

Under the New Covenant, Jesus showed up with a simple invitation—a new and wonderful way to relate to the Father. He invites you and me to turn from our self-directed way to follow Him. His life is exchanged for mine…all through Grace.

There is no difference, his righteousness is upon all that believe; not only offered to them, but put upon them as a crown, as a robe. It is free grace, mere mercy; there is nothing in us to deserve such favours. It comes freely unto us, but Christ bought it and paid the price. Bible Hub